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Tiny Cheyenne died after being left unattended in the back of her mum's police car

He told his local newspaper The Clarion-Ledger he has been left devastated by the tragedy which happened on Monday afternoon in Kiln, Mississippi.

He said: "What really kills me is that you see a child killed in a car wreck, or in a home invasion, or even left in a hot car.

"And the last thing you ever expect is to have an officer come knock on your door and tell you your daughter has passed away.

"I lost all feeling. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t breathe, then I was flat out crying.

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The child was left unattended on this road in Mississippi

“After that I just was angry, and I went in the backyard and started beating up the shed.

"I just left the local funeral home trying to make arrangements.

Mr Hyer said. "When it came time to pick out a casket, I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it."

It has been reported locally Cheyenne's mother had previously been probed by the Department of Human Services “so she could have her child back” however it is unclear what this related to or how long the child was out of her care.

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Police are currently investigating the incident which happened on Monday

Mr Hyer, who now lives in Florida, paid tribute to his daughter, he added: "She didn't shy away from anyone, she'd hug you no matter who you are.

"Everyone's got their own opinion about their child, but she was the funniest, happiest little girl ever."

Hancock County Chief Deputy Don Bass said authorities believe Cheyenne had been in the car for up to four hours.

He added that the fellow police officer was a "friend" of the mother but said they had not concluded their investigation.

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Officer Cassie Barker has been suspended along with a male colleague

He said: "I'm not tiptoeing around it, but we just started the interviews this morning, and I'm not aware of what his interview has consisted of as far as that question.

"She was there visiting him. I can't speculate on anything more."

Chief Bass added that there was "no excuse for leaving your child in the car."

Before adding: "There's no logical reason to do that.

"It's not an accident.

"She left the child in the car.

"We hear and read about this, it seems like quite often recently.

"It seems more than ever that people are leaving their infants and small children in the car to do tasks and shopping."